Blue Grass Trust November 2023 deTour | Mt. Horeb at Adena Park

The November 2023 Blue Grass Trust deTour explored Mt. Horeb at Adena Park.

The Mt. Horeb Earthwork is an earthen enclosure located just outside Lexington, along the Elkhorn Creek. Built by the Adena people, this ancient archaeological site dates back over 2,000 years. The site consists of a circular ditch and embankment, with an earthen causeway on its west side.

Mt. Horeb underwent significant archaeological investigations starting in 1939 under the guidance of William S. Webb from the University of Kentucky. The research revealed a circle of posts grouped into pairs, which led to the conclusion that the site was likely used as an open-air meeting space where Adena groups would hold important ceremonies.

Mt. Horeb has been partially reconstructed and is a protected recreational area owned by the University of Kentucky.

We are grateful to partner with UK's Anthropology Department to make this deTour possible!